There’s nothing like a new gaming laptop that satisfies everything on your tech wish list: budget friendly, looks and feels good, and has the hardware horsepower to play the games you want. Choosing a rig with the right hardware requirements for gaming can get tricky at times, especially when trying to stick to a budget.
This article outlines the best gaming laptops of 2018 you can buy at Walmart Canada today, with recommendations for different budgets. These buying tips will help you find the laptop of your dreams, while meeting your budget, gaming demands, and technical requirements for your favourite games.
Featuring GeForce 10-series GPUs and high-powered Intel CPUs, new gaming laptops are becoming more powerful. At Walmart.ca, they’re more affordable too! Keep reading to the end for a complete list of hardware requirements for some of your favourite games.
Best Gaming Laptops 2018:
- Acer Nitro 5 Intel Core i5, 15.6″ (Under $1500)
- Acer Nitro 5 Intel Core i7, 15.6″ (Under $1500)
- Asus 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (Under $1500)
- OMEN by HP 15-DC0010CA, 15.6″ (Under $1500)
- Acer Predator Helios 300 17.3″ (Under $1500)
- Asus ROG 15.6″ Gaming Laptop (between $1500 – $2000)
- Asus ROG 17.3″ Laptop (between $1500 – $2000)
- HP OMEN 15-DC0025CA 15.6″ Laptop (between $1500 – $2000)
If you’re serious about gaming and don’t want to spend more than $1,500, there’s an impressive range of gaming laptops that offer the best hardware options for your money. These are our recommendations:
Acer Nitro 5 Intel Core i5, 15.6″
The Acer Nitro 5 Core i5 model is an affordable gaming laptop that has the hardware you need to find a great start in gaming. Featuring an Intel Core i5 processor, a mid-tier GeForce GTX 1050 GPU and a strong battery life, this Acer will typically cost under a thousand bucks, but keep an eye on our Walmart.ca page for specials and seasonal pricing. The Full HD display features an In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel for superior graphics, plus ComfyView technology for anti-glare comfort.
While this laptop has the hardware chops to meet the recommended specs for many popular games, the tradeoff comes in the form of raw processing power that can sometimes impact how quick your response times may be in online/multiplayer competitive gaming. We’d recommend this model for single-player or online games with modest minimum requirements such as: Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Overwatch, Star Wars Battlefront 2, Fallout 76, Fortnite, The Sims 4, and Destiny 2.
Specs
• 15.6″ FHD (1080p)
• IPS technology; ComfyView
• Windows 10 Home
• Processor: Intel Core i5-8300H Quad Core, 2.3GHz
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
• Memory: 8GB DDR4 RAM (up to 4GB GDDR5); Dedicated HDD
• Storage: 1TB HD (up to 2TB)
• Webcam: 720p
• Wi-Fi Connection: 802.11ac
• Ports: 1 x USB 3.0; 2 x 2.0; Network (RJ-45); HDMI 2.0; 1 x USB 3.1; Gen 1 Type-C
• Battery: up to 7 hours battery life
• Weight: 5.95lbs
Acer Nitro 5 Intel Core i7, 15.6″
This is the next step up in the Acer Nitro 5 lineup. The upgraded Intel Core i7-8750H CPU increases the processing cores from the i5 model to an i7 Hexa-Core. The extra graphics power comes from the slightly more powerful GTX 1050Ti, which means you can get those extra rich textures and shadows to immerse you in your gaming worlds. You’ll appreciate the added frames-per-second (fps) rate over that of the 1050.
With additional power and visual ‘smoothness,’ you can play medium-to-high graphically intense games, such as Final Fantasy XIV, Overwatch, and Call of Duty: WWII among others.
For only a few hundred dollars over the Core i5 Nitro 5 model (above), this laptop offers upgrades to some key hardware components while remaining a low budget, high performance gaming laptop.
Specs
• 15.6″ FHD (1080p)
• IPS technology
• Windows 10 Home
• Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H Hexa-Core (6 core), 2.2GHz
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4GB GDDR5
• Memory: 12GB DDR4
• Storage: 1TB HD
• Webcam: 720p
• Wi-Fi Connection: 802.11ac
• Ports: 1 x USB 3.0; 2 x 2.0; RJ-45; HDMI 2.0; 1 x USB 3.1; Gen 1 Type-C
• Battery: up to 7 hours battery life
• Weight: 5.95lbs
Asus 15.6″ Gaming Laptop
The Asus 15.6″ Gaming Laptop hits our under $1500 category and offers respectable CPU and GPU power for medium-intensity gameplay, such as: Fortnite, Destiny 2, The Sims 4, and Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. What it lacks in pure processing power, it makes up for in lightweight mobility and convenience.
Featuring an IPS anti-glare display and a red, backlit keyboard, it’s ideal for gamers who prefer immersive gaming in lower light. It weighs less than other gaming laptops in our roundup at just 4.39lbs, which makes it easier to carry than most gaming laptops.
An all-around great entry level gaming laptop that will get you fired up and straight into the action quickly, especially if you are moving between locations, around campus, between coffee shops and the like.
Specs
• 15.6″ 60Hz FHD (1080p)
• Anti-Glare IPS-Level Display
• Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i5-8300H Quad Core, 2.3GHz
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 2GB GDDR5
• Memory: 8GB DDR4 RAM
• Storage: 1TB
• Webcam: 720p
• Wi-Fi Connection: 802.11ac
• Ports: 1 x HDMI; 1 x USB 2.0; 2 x USB 3.0; RJ-45
• Battery: 48WHrs 4 Cell Li-Ion
• Weight: 4.39lbs
• Red Backlit Keyboard
OMEN by HP 15-DC0010CA, 15.6″
Entry level hardware can play most modern PC games with ‘okay’ results, but to achieve super smooth framerates on high graphics settings you need a machine with powerful processors. That’s where OMEN by HP steps in.
This gaming laptop has a 6-Core i7 processor, GTX 1050 GPU, backlit keyboard, 12GB of SDRAM, and a great-looking 15.6″ IPS anti-glare WLED-backlit display. This is a fantastic pick for gamers seeking power for more demanding games like Battlefield V, Call of Duty: WWII, Final Fantasy XIV, and Fallout 76.
The Omen is pretty lightweight for a gaming laptop at 4.59lbs, and it includes a Bang & Olufsen sound card and DTS Headphone: X surround sound technology for a great, immersive audio.
Specs
• 15″ FHD (1080p)
• IPS Anti-Glare WLED-Backlit Display
• Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i7+8750H Hexa-Core (6 Core), 2.2GHz
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
• Memory: 12GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• Wi-Fi Connection: 802.11ac
• Ports: 1 x USB 3.0; 1 x HDMI
• Weight: 4.59lbs
• Backlit Keyboard
• Sound Card: Bang & Olufsen
• DTS Headphone: X Technology
These next selections feature the best gaming laptops from $1,500 to $2,000 at Walmart Canada to give you the best deal on the gaming laptop of your dreams.
Acer Predator Helios 300 17.3″
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is a behemoth that just launched in early August 2018. With specs and features to make any gamer jealous, the Predator is a powerful, VR-ready rig that will take your gaming performance to a higher level.
Available at Walmart Canada, this laptop features a beautiful 17.3″ IPS display and is packed with an 8th generation Intel Core i7-8750H CPU, a high-powered GeForce GTX 1060 GPU, and 16GB RAM. The AeroBlade 3D Dual Fan Cooling system fans are made from metal and will keep your laptop cool during those long gaming marathon sessions.
Along with the GPU, a favourite feature of the Acer Predator is the 144Hz refresh rate, which is smoother than the typical 120Hz. This means the screen will show graphics more quickly and smoothly, which translates into higher FPS and lower screen lag. Backed up by plenty of memory and storage, the Acer Predator Helios 300 meets the recommended specs of most high-end video games with power to spare.
This new model has a list of pumped-up features, including:
• 17.3″ FHD (1080p)
• IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate
• Windows 10 Home
• Processor: 8th Gen. Intel Core i7-8750H, 2.2GHz
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with 6GB Dedicated
• Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
• Storage: 256GB + 1TB
• Wi-Fi Connection: 802.11ac
• Ports: 2 x USB 2.0; 1 x USB 3.0; 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1; RJ-45
• Weight: 6.61lbs
• Dual-Fan Cooling featuring all-metal AeroBlade 3D Fans
• Virtual Reality Ready[/su_expand]
Asus ROG 15.6″ Gaming Laptop
Featuring an 8th generation Intel Core i7-8750H Hexa-Core CPU, this Republic of Gamers (ROG) laptop by Asus has a range of impressive specs. Featuring a GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4GB GDDR5 graphics chip, a FireCuda SSHD, and a 120Hz refresh rate with Wideview display, this model has even more bells and whistles to check off on your immersive gaming experience wishlist.
The 3.9GHz turbo-boosted pushes beyond the already superior speed of the processor. The ROG series has no problem meeting the recommended requirements of demanding titles, including: Final Fantasy XIV, Destiny 2, Battlefield V, Call of Duty Black Ops 4, and more.
This is one of our highest recommended gaming laptops in the high-end, mid-price category.
Specs
• 15.6″ FHD (1080p)
• 120Hz Refresh Rate
• HD Wideview display with ultra-fast 3ms response time
• Windows 10
• Processor: 8th Gen. Intel Core i7-8750H Hexa-Core, 2.2GHz (up to 3.9GHz)
• Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti 4GB GDDR5
• Memory: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 128GB PCIe SSD +1TB FireCuda Hybrid Drive (Solid-State Hybrid Drive)
• Wi-Fi Connection: Gigabit Wave 2 Wi-Fi (up to 1.73Gbps) with 2×2 802.11ac
• Ports: 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C; 1 x HDMI 1.5; Mini DisplayPort
• Weight: 5.4lbs
• Asus Aura Sync customizable RGB Gaming Keyboard
• 12V Fans for superior thermal performance
• Virtual Reality Ready
Asus ROG 17.3″ Laptop
For those who prefer larger screens, you’ll appreciate the Asus ROG’s 17.3″ matte-finish display. With a 120Hz refresh rate and 1080p resolution, this display offers smooth graphics, low latency (lag) and quick, responsive control without over-taxing your graphics processor.
This larger version of the Asus ROG model is ideal for performance gaming and future-proofing. It features an Intel Core i7 Hexa-Core CPU and a VR-ready GeForce GTX 1060 GPU that can handle the most powerful games out there. The ROG ups the ante by offering a whopping 16GB of RAM, 256GB SSD and 1TB HDD.
Finding a laptop with the right price and amazing hardware can be tricky, and most of the time, gamers have to make compromises. You can have it all for a lot less with the Asus ROG 17.3″.
Specs
• 17.3″ FHD (1080p); Matte
• 120Hz Refresh Rate
• Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H Hexa-Core, 2.2 GHz
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5
• Memory: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD
• Wi-Fi Connection: 802.11ac
• Ports: 1 x USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen 2); 4 x USB Type-A 3.1 (Gen 1); 1 x Mini DisplayPort; 1 x RJ-45
• Weight: 6.5lbs
• RGB (4-Zone) Keyboard
HP OMEN 15-DC0025CA 15.6″ Laptop
The high-end HP Omen 15 is a serious contender for the best gaming laptop under $2,000. It offers a balance of budget and power. The Omen features an Intel Core i7 6-Core CPU, a powerful GTX 1060 GPU, and 1TB HDD + 128GB SSD of storage.
The 15.6″ display is stunning with an IPS anti-glare, WLED-backlit screen. The 1080p resolution and a micro-edge bezel is the cherry on top for a superior visual experience. Weighing in at 5.56lbs, it sits somewhere in the middle in terms of weight. If you’re just itching to play a demanding game like the latest Call of Duty, this is the gaming rig for you.
Specs
• 15.6″ FHD (1080p)
• IPS Anti-Glare Micro-Edge WLED-Backlit
• Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H Hexa-Core, 2.2 GHz
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
• Memory: 16GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM
• Storage: 1TB 7200 RPM HDD + 128GB SSD
• Wi-Fi Connection: 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2×2); Bluetooth 4.2 combo
• Ports: Multi-format digital media card reader; 2 x USB 3.0; 1 x Thunderbolt 3; DisplayPort 1.2; 1 x Mini DisplayPort; 1 HDMI 2.0; RJ-45
• Weight: 5.56lbs
Walmart Canada carries the best gaming laptops for a variety of budgets and for all types of gamers, from newcomers to enthusiasts. From entry-level to high-end models, you will find the perfect gaming laptop for your needs on Walmart.ca.
